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You are here: Home / Archives for On This Day

On This Day

Australian Naval History on 11 June 1940

On This Day · Jun 11, 1940 ·

HMAS Sydney, with cruisers of the 7th Cruiser Squadron HMS Orion, HMS Neptune, HMS Gloucester and HMS Liverpool, departed Alexandria at 1.00am for a sweep after Italy declared war the ...

Australian Naval History on 10 June 1940

On This Day · Jun 10, 1940 ·

Italy entered the war on the side of Germany. An officer in HMAS SYDNEY, (cruiser), at the time of the announcement commented, ‘The news came like the proverbial bomb in ...

Australian Naval History on 9 June 1940

On This Day · Jun 9, 1940 ·

LEUT G. L. Fowle, RAN, commanded the former Dutch schuyt HMS DOGGER BANK, in the evacuation of troops from Cherbourg and St Malo. He later brought out civilians from the ...

Australian Naval History on 4 June 1940

On This Day · Jun 4, 1940 ·

LEUT R. J. Robertson, RAN, was awarded the DSC and MID for conspicuous gallantry while serving in HMS MALCOLM, (destroyer), at the evacuation of Dunkirk, and in operations off the ...

Australian Naval History on 3 June 1940

On This Day · Jun 3, 1940 ·

HMAS VENDETTA, (destroyer), commenced a long refit at Malta. During this time her ships company were loaned to the Army, and became part of the force ready to repel a ...

Australian Naval History on 31 May 1940

On This Day · May 31, 1940 ·

Convoy US3, escorted by HMA Ships CANBERRA and AUSTRALIA, (cruisers), headed north from Cape Town. ...

Australian Naval History on 27 May 1940

David Stratton · May 27, 1940 ·

The 19th Destroyer Division (Stuart (I), Vampire, Voyager (I), Vendetta (I) and Waterhen (I)) and the 20th Destroyer Division (HM Ships Dainty, Diamond, Decoy and Defender) combined to form the ...

Australian Naval History on 26 May 1940

On This Day · May 26, 1940 ·

The cruiser HMAS SYDNEY, (CAPT J. A. Collins, RAN), joined the 7th Cruiser Squadron operating in the Mediterranean. LEUT F. N. Cook, RAN, was rescued from the sea off Narvik, ...

Australian Naval History on 22 May 1940

On This Day · May 22, 1940 ·

The cruiser HMAS SYDNEY, (CAPT J. A. Collins, RAN), arrived at Aden, en-route to the Mediterranean. During the ship’s passage from Sydney, she had struck, and cut in half, a ...

Australian Naval History on 21 May 1940

On This Day · May 21, 1940 ·

The Australian Government approved the building of the Captain Cook Graving Dock between Potts Point and Garden Island Navy Base, Sydney. ...

Australian Naval History on 20 May 1940

On This Day · May 20, 1940 ·

HMS SHROPSHIRE, (cruiser), relieved HMAS CANBERRA, (cruiser), as escort for troop convoy US3, in the Indian Ocean. SHROPSHIRE was commissioned into the RAN as a replacement for CANBERRA in 1943. ...

Australian Naval History on 17 May 1940

On This Day · May 17, 1940 ·

The Australian War Cabinet accepted the Admiralty offer of HMS CERES and HMS COLOMBO, (cruisers), for service in Australian waters. The decision was reversed a week later. ...

Australian Naval History on 15 May 1940

On This Day · May 15, 1940 ·

HMA Ships CANBERRA and AUSTRALIA, (cruisers), were escorting convoy US3, when about halfway between Fremantle and Colombo, The British Admiralty ordered it alter course for Britain via the Cape Town. ...

Australian Naval History on 12 May 1940

David Stratton · May 12, 1940 ·

Australian Troop Convoy US.2 was met off Aden on the 12th by HMAS Hobart and destroyers HMS Decoy and HMS Defender. HMAS Sydney departed Colombo to join convoy US.3 in ...

Australian Naval History on 9 May 1940

On This Day · May 9, 1940 ·

PO Augustus Joseph Fisher,  RAN , SN 14400, was awarded the DSM for daring, endurance, and resource, while serving in HM Submarine TRUANT. Fifteen months later he was MID for ...

Australian Naval History on 7 May 1940

David Stratton · May 7, 1940 ·

Destroyers Vendetta, Voyager, Waterhen departed Malta as escorts for HMS Warspite. They arrivd at Alexandria on the 10th ...

Australian Naval History on 5 May 1940

On This Day · May 5, 1940 ·

Australian troop convoy US3, consisting of liners QUEEN MARY, AQUITANIA, EMPRESS OF JAPAN, EMPRESS OF BRITAIN, MAURETANIA, and ANDES, escorted by HMA Ships CANBERRA and PERTH, and HMS LEANDER, sailed ...

Australian Naval History on 4 May 1940

On This Day · May 4, 1940 ·

HMAS KANGAROO, (boom defence vessel), was launched at Cockatoo Island, Sydney. ...

Australian Naval History on 1 May 1940

David Stratton · May 1, 1940 ·

ANZAC troop convoy US.3 departed Wellington with troopships Aquitania (45,647grt), Empress of Britain (42,348grt), and Empress of Japan (26,032grt), escorted by HMAS Australia and HMNZS Leander. ...

Australian Naval History on 25 April 1940

David Stratton · Apr 25, 1940 ·

HMAS Sydney steamed around convoy US.2 flying the signal ”RAN congratulates AIF on ANZAC Day ...

Australian Naval History on 24 April 1940

On This Day · Apr 24, 1940 ·

The Cunard liner QUEEN MARY commenced conversion to a troop ship at Sydney. ...

Australian Naval History on 22 April 1940

David Stratton · Apr 22, 1940 ·

Troop convoy US.2, with 5 troopships, left Fremantle, escorted by HMAS Sydney and HMS ships Ramillies ...

Australian Naval History on 21 April 1940

David Stratton · Apr 21, 1940 ·

HMAS Adelaide left convoy US.2 after being part of escort with HMS Ramilies from Melbourne to Fremantle ...

Australian Naval History on 19 April 1940

David Stratton · Apr 19, 1940 ·

HMAS Sydney joined the escort of Anzac convoy US 2 off Albany, and remained with the convoy until it reached the Cocos Island on 28 April and was replaced by ...

Australian Naval History on 13 April 1940

On This Day · Apr 13, 1940 ·

HMAS SWAN, (sloop), intercepted the Norwegian ship SOLHEIM off Fremantle, and escorted the vessel into port. HMAS HOBART, (cruiser), intercepted the Danish merchant vessel AFRIKA between Colombo and Aden. A ...

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